Flying Solo: The Simplicity of Living Single

"This was a very typical time. I was single. All you needed was a cup of tea, a light, and your stereo, you know, and that's what I had," so says Steve Jobs pictured here at his home in 1982...

This photograph, taken by Diana Walker and featured in her book, The Bigger Picture, not only offers us a little snapshot of Apple co-founder and CEO during his lean years--but also gives us something that we can all relate to: how simple it can be when living single.

A friend is about to embark on her own living single experience, having just earned her masters. After years of living with roommates and then later with her now ex-husband, she admitted that she is a bit nervous--but excited--about living on her own for the first time. "Do you have any advice or tips you can give me? Like how to cook for one without the groceries going bad towards the end of the week? Do you keep a baseball bat under your bed? And is eating in front of the TV completely lame?"

While we're pretty sure she'll adjust to living alone on the practical side of things ("Invest in Tupperware!"), we're hoping that she'll find enjoyment out of the simplicity of it all. Something we've heard from quite a few people who have lived alone at some point in their lives is that it's probably the best way to discover yourself--even in the little choices, like picking out a color scheme for your own bathroom or choosing an air freshener scent.